Yipu Pictures

Yipu Introduction

IntroductionYipu was o­nce a very famous residential garden in Ming Dynasty. It was located in Wenya Alley, Wuqu Street in Lumennei District of Suzhou City. It is a very sequestered garden which has the artistic conception of "making the people living there forgetting their sadness, the people staying there forgetting returning home and the people visiting there forgetting tiredness." This garden has an expansive view and a simple style. Since many of the original features of the garden have been preserved, the garden has a high historical and artistic value. Suzhou falls within north subtropical monsoonal climate zone with abundant rainfall, clear seasons and temperate and humid climate. The four seasons are suitable for travel, especially from April to October.

Yipu Features

HighlightsThe garden is built around a pond with stone bridges over it. Most of the buildings are constructed in the north, among which the Buoya Hall is the main hall of the garden. To its south there is a small courtyard with a rock terrace in a pond. To the south of the courtyard are built five water pavilions. And to the south of the pond there is an artificial hill. The side of the hill along the pond is steep, with precipitous paths. To the south of the pond there is the Ruyou Pavilion, dating from the Ming Dynasty, which is connected with the outside by paths. To the west of the pond is located Qinlu Courtyard, which is entered by a round moon gate. Inside the courtyard there is a small pond linked with the main pond outside. Such a design is unique among Suzhou's classical gardens.